Investigators use GPS devices to discreetly gather real-time location information for cases involving infidelity, suspected misconduct, and finding missing persons. For missing individuals, geolocation services help find last known locations and monitor movements, aiding in investigations to locate them. However, it is illegal to install a tracker on a vehicle without permission or use it for stalking. This is a Class D felony.
Connecticut law permits private investigators to utilize GPS and other tracking devices for surveillance under certain circumstances. The legality of such tracking often hinges on factors like the purpose of the investigation, the location of the tracking, and whether consent has been obtained.
Private investigators have to be well-versed in these regulations to ensure their methods remain within the bounds of the law and avoid potential legal repercussions. Please continue reading as we explore how our Connecticut Private Detectives track individuals using GPS and other devices.
Why You Should Trust Advanced Investigations
Whether you are a business, family member, or law firm seeking accurate information about an individual in Connecticut, you need support from a trusted team that has experience navigating the nuances of private investigations. At Advanced Investigations, our founder has more than 16 years of investigative experience and has helped countless individuals across Connecticut protect their privacy and secure important information.
Are Private Investigators Allowed to Track People?
First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand that private investigators are legally allowed to track individuals, including using GPS tracking, as long as they adhere to certain legal and ethical guidelines. Generally, they must have the individual’s consent or a legitimate legal basis, such as a court order. It’s important to note that there are exceptions to the consent requirement, such as for family members with legitimate concerns about a spouse’s whereabouts or lawful action after default on a motor vehicle loan.
Connecticut imposes strict anti-stalking laws that make it a Class D felony to use electronic devices to track someone in a way that causes reasonable fear or intimidation. Additionally, it’s illegal to install a GPS tracker on someone else’s vehicle or property without permission. Private investigators are required to act ethically and avoid engaging in any illegal activities, such as trespassing or harassment.
What Is the Legal Definition of a Tracking Device?
Connecticut law specifically defines what constitutes a tracking device. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 54-33a, a “tracking device” is an electronic or mechanical device that permits the tracking of the movement of a person or object. This broad definition can encompass GPS trackers and other technologies capable of providing information about someone’s movements or the location of an object, such as a vehicle.
Connecticut has more than 2.8 million registered vehicles, including more than 2.3 million passenger vehicles, and the statute discusses tracking devices primarily in connection with law enforcement investigations. It outlines when officers can legally seek a search warrant that allows them to install or use a tracking device.
These warrant requirements apply to law enforcement, not private investigators. However, the statute still provides a helpful definition of what Connecticut considers a tracking device. Private investigators must follow other applicable state laws when deciding whether they can install certain devices during an investigation.
What Are Some Examples of Legal tracking?
GPS and other electronic devices have changed the way private investigators work, allowing them to follow or track someone discreetly. GPS devices can provide real-time location insights. As such, private investigators often use these devices to gather information for cases like infidelity, suspected misconduct, or finding missing persons.
A private investigator can use GPS tracking to investigate suspected cheating, as long as the individual being tracked gives consent or the circumstances justify it. They can monitor the suspected partner’s activities, usually over a period of time, ot observe any suspicious interactions with other people. Private investigators are skilled in conducting surveillance.
In cases of missing persons, private investigators will use GPS to locate the individual’s whereabouts. Geolocation services can help identify a person’s last known location, track vehicles, and monitor any movements. They can also utilize commercial tracking devices to help businesses that require transportation, company vehicles, deliveries, or trucking services. It can help ensure employees are reliable and honest.
Why You Should Hire a Private Investigator
Whether you have concerns about relationship infidelity, are looking for a missing person, or are seeking answers for other issues, only a licensed private investigator can pursue your goals. When you hire a private investigator from Advanced Investigations, you gain extensive support from a highly trained individual who can help you understand the investigation process, find important information while adhering to the law, and protect your privacy.
What Type of Licensing Do Private Investigators Need in Connecticut?
There are an estimated 220 private investigators employed in Connecticut, and working in this field requires a license from the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Private detective services must also register employees who work as investigators, while the Special Licensing & Firearms Unit processes licenses and registrations and investigates complaints involving potential licensing violations.
Applicants must generally demonstrate that they have at least five years of full-time investigative experience under a licensed agency or 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They must also be at least 25, have a high school education, and pass a criminal background check. Certain criminal convictions can disqualify an applicant.
Contact Advanced Investigations Today
As you can see, there are circumstances in which using GPS and other tracking devices is legal. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Advanced Investigations.
Whether you live at Frog Hollow, Barry Square, Elmwood, or another neighborhood in Connecticut, Advanced Investigations can help you find the information and evidence that you need. We maintain several offices throughout the state, and our founding investigator has held prominent leadership positions in the past, including as the President of the Connecticut Private Investigators Association.
